Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1887-08-10
Stauntot. Spectator.
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 10, 1887.
Virginia and South American Commerce

-four manufacturing mills with perhaps on0
exception were in Richmond. The product
of those mills was the most acceptable In
supplying the South American demand
and a commerce had sprung up OF annually
growing proportions between richmond
and South American ports, the principal
contribution being flour, though steam
saw mills and other Richmond manufac-
tured machinery were finding increasing
customers in that country.
The vessels taking out our trade re-
turned mainly with cargoes of coffee. The
exchange of commodities between the two
countries, the most valuable productions OF
both, had laid the foundation Of desirable
and profitable intercourse, bidding fair to
become many millions in value and grow
ing each year. Such, briefly is not an over
drawn picture in commercial interests at
that time, as they appeared at Richmond
and in Brazil.
The transportation commenced princi-
pally by ships owned in the North and in
Europe, but Richmond enterprise quickly
responded by placing Richmond-owned
vessels on the line, and had nothing occur
red to disturb this movement in the carry
ing trade, it would have been as progressive
as it had become foremost in developing
the new and profitable intercourse between
the two countries.
Brazil and other countries on the South
ern part of the American continent were
more than glad to obtain our flour, then
the best known after the effects Of the
voyage through the tropics, and the me-
chinery made by our artisans, as those por
tions Of the globe were becoming Instructed
in the advantages of labor-saving nipple,
ments. Richmond was laying broad foup-
dations in commercial fields, by becoming
chief coffee market, and her own ships con
Quoting this growing reciprocal intercourse
In reference to the coffee trade few car
goes appeared at intervals, continuing tt
increase, there were first monthly sales
then semi-monthly, afterwards weekly
and then twice and thrice week. Mer
chants from the interior of Virginia ant
North Carolina commenced attending those
sales, and it may be noted that just previous
to the changed situation between the States
which broke off all intercourse and block
AIDED our ports, Baltimore, Philadelphia
and New York dealers had commenced
their visits to Richmond for the purpose @
making purchases.
Results have changed, greatly changed
the commerce of the country, and Rlch
mond and Virginia were most deeply at
fected by them. The Richmond mills arr
not the largest in the country now, bu
they are still there and are doing a grea
deal in taking up the South American
trade, where it was disturbed, and can alsC
aid our agricultural interests, now so sadly
inneed Of sustaining support. Richmond
has since regaining foot-hold, largely in
creased in population, in commerce, and il
manufacturing. Her limits have expanded
and her beauty and excellence newl!
adorned to an extent, that carries gratifica
ton and pride to every Virginian.
1t was wheat, yes Virginia wheat, tina
gave Richmond her grand position more
than thirty years ago, as her enterprisine
citizens looked forward to the bright DIES
tiny then dawning on our capitol cit!
through the -four and coffee trade. 1t il
true that tide-wlter and the Piedmont sec
lions cannot send in the cereal as they ones
did. Nor does the great quota of thu
James river Valley pour down as of yore.-
Nor can the Southside catch up quickl!
with the progress once going on there il
profitable wheat-culture, but the Vale.
has increased, and the Southwest is capa
BILE of becoming superior wheat country
Wheat-culture is the basis of cur Vale,
agriculture and it becomes the duty Of on
interior merchants, as we'll as that of ever,
producer, to seek by every proper means t.
make it profitable.
Now that the Gallego has come into full
play, and if all three of the milling estab
lishments at Richmond are fully employed
there ought to be an increased demand fo
our hard red wheat of the Valley. To in
cease the field of demand for the Rich
mond flour is then a desirable object. I
strikes us that it can be done to some ex
tent by sustaining the Richmond importers
of coffee. In proportion as we increase the
Richmond coffee market we add to the de
rnand for our Valley wheat. All things
being equal in the matter of purchasing
their supplies Of coffee, especially, Valley
merchants can help the farming interest
upon which almost the whole progress ant
prosperity of this section is dependent by a
liberal patronage to the Richmond dealers
for the more coffee they import the more
flour is exported, AID the more wheat viii
thus be wanted.
We are truly grati1ed TO observe that
Richmond is moving by well directed means
through her Chamber of Commerce to en-
large the trade between that city and tke
States of Central and South America -
That body will place the city in close asso
citation with the movements to hold al
Washington city centennial celebration il
1889, of the foundation of the United States
Government, at which all the States and
Governments of the other two Americas
will be represented. 1t is believed great
progress in enlarging our trade relations
can then be instituted, and Richmond is es
pecially alive to the share ehe can take in
advancing her interests.
We hope our people will think of the
suggestions made. If we stand still Pr,
perity will not come to us. To move by
the line indicated costs no more than an
effort on another, and desirable results are
as promising by it as by any other of future
methods. There should be pride. too, in
the effort, because of association with the
forward movement Of our capital city our
chief and central seat of commerce
p. W. Fauntleroy, ESQ.,, the counsel for
Maxwell, the st. Louis murderer, whe has